Melbourne as a Whig PM Flashcards
What was the main goal William IV had in mind when he invited Lord Melbourne to form a government in August 1834?
He wanted to safeguard himself against policies he disliked, probably because of Melbourne’s conservative approach to reform
Describe Melbourne’s conservative reputation?
- He was part of Canning’s Tory government for its brief lifespan
- Said that change is a great danger and a great evil
- Did not see any more necessity for reform after the GRA
What did critics say about Melbourne’s conservative approach?
They interpreted this as either a lack of a clear plan or simple laziness
Why was Melbourne met with discord from both sided of the political spectrum in his early days as PM
- He refused the King’s request to include Peel and Wellington to form a quasi-coalition
- He upset the radical Whigs by excluding them from his cabinet in an attempt to appease the King
Why was excluding Whig Radicals from the cabinet a big mistake?
Because many of them, like Brougham, would not sit back in silence
Why was the death of Lord Althorp’s father detrimental an issue for Melbourne?
Because he thought that Althorp as chancellor was they key to achieving cooperation and stability of the commons. However, the death of his father meant he inherited his Earldom and was therefore obliged to take up his seat in the lords
What lead to the dismissal of Melbourne’s government by William IV?
Melbourne insisted on promoting Lord Russell to the position of chancellor to replace Althorp. The King disliked Russell’s radical tendencies and dismissed the government, despite the fact that it held a commons majority
What does Briggs suggest allowed the King to dismiss Melbourne and replace him with Peel?
Whig ineptitude; suggesting that if Grey had been more assertive then the King would not have been able to act in what was at this point an unconstitutional manner
Why do McCord and Purdue suggest that Melbourne allowed the King to dismiss him even though he was acting in an unconstitutional manner?
They said that he put up little resistance because he was actually relieved by this decision
What was the consequence of the King deciding to interfere and replace Melbourne with Peel?
It angered the Whigs and Radicals and they made a concerted effort to bring down Peel within just a few months
What replaced the Peel government after it was brought down in just a few months?
Melbourne returned to office, but with fewer Whig supporters, meaning he had to rely on Radical and Irish MPs
How did Lord Russell respond to the King’s unconstitutional behaviour?
By forming the 1835 Lichfield House Compact with Daniel O’Connell, leader of the Irish MPs
What did the 1835 Lichfield House Compact do?
Promised Irish support for the Whigs in parliament and a Whig commitment to carry through Irish reforms when the Whigs returned to power. The radicals were too divided to make a pact with Irish MPs
Why did the Lichfield House Compact come back to bite the 2nd Wellington government?
Because they now had to uphold their end of the bargain
Who were the Irish MPs led by?
Daniel O’Connell
